CBI will be participating in Fruit Logistica 2016 this year with 4 pavilions and 33 companies. Companies with potential from West Africa and Central America present themselves at the fair in Berlin. The CBI has Export Coaching Programs with companies in these areas and other Latin American and Asian countries, "The fruit and vegetable program has been running for a few years now in West Africa and Central America," says Piet Schotel, the fair coordinator for CBI.
Standing on your own two feet
The CBI program lasts four years. During this time companies may come to the fair under the supervision of the CBI three times. However, companies must meet some criteria before they are allowed to go to the fair, "It is definitely not a vacation. Companies have to carefully consider if they will attend. We support and promote them and offer them facilities, but it still remains a considerable investment for a company."
At the fair CBI wants the companies to present themselves, "After all, once the program is finished they have to be able to stand on their own two feet." Some companies that have gone through the program continue to attend the fair after the initial four years, "Particularly companies in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Egypt and Kenya. That is really nice to see."
Pavilions
The Pavilions can be found in hall 23, 3.2 and 7. There is a stand in hall 23 with companies from Central America. CBI set this stand up together with Central American organizations in Guatemala, Panama and Honduras. In addition, CBI works together with the German organization, IPD. They have a coaching program in Ethiopia. This year IPD has a stand in hall 3.2 with CBI. The Ethiopian companies are together in a pavilion with companies from Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin.
Two other African countries, Ghana and Senegal, have their own pavilion in hall 7.2. CBI supports the companies that are in these pavilions.
